Lamar Jackson gets playoff win, Ravens beat Titans 20-13
Some first steps are far longer than others.
Such as what Lamar Jackson achieved Sunday.
After two postseason flops, Jackson was his usual dynamic and decisive self in leading the Ravens to a 20-13 wild-card victory at Tennessee. He isn’t in any way the only reason Baltimore is advancing — the defense shut down 2,000-yard rusher Derrick Henry like no other team has come close to doing. But he was a positive contributor, unlike in losses to the Chargers and Titans in his other playoff appearances.
Jackson ran for 136 yards and a 48-yard touchdown while throwing for 179 more, rallying the Ravens from a 10-0 hole. The
Ravens (12-5) went 21 straight losses in either the regular season or playoffs when trailing by 10 or more points.
Despite being sacked five times and throwing an interception, Jackson turned in the sixth 100-yard rushing game by a quarterback in the postseason, and joined Colin Kaepernick with two.
“We stayed focused. We didn’t get rattled. Our coaches didn’t get rattled. We had to put points on the board,” Jackson said. “I throw an interception, a dumb interception. We just kept fighting.”
Especially the defense: Henry had his worst performance this season with 18 carries for 40 yards and the Titans (11-6) were held to their fewest points of the season.
“Our defense was tired of hearing the noise,” Jackson said. “And they did what they were supposed to do.”
Later Sunday, New Orleans (12-4) hosted Chicago (8-8), followed by Cleveland (11-5) at Pittsburgh (12-4). SATURDAY Buccaneers 31, Washington 23
In his first postseason game wearing a uniform other than New England’s, Tom Brady showed why he was so responsible for the Patriots’ two-decade dynasty. While leading his new team, the Buccaneers (125), to their first playoff win since Tampa Bay won the 2002 championship, Brady extended his record for playoff victories to 31. He threw for 381 yards and two touchdowns in his 42nd postseason start.